Denise Wentz: ColoradoCare fraught with uncertainties

In November, Colorado voters will be deciding on Amendment 69 (ColoradoCare). The amendment is fraught with uncertainties and ambiguities. The only thing clear about ColoradoCare is the taxation.

Amendment 69 will be funded by an additional 10 percent tax on all earned income generated in the state of Colorado. All employees will pay 3.33 percent and employers will pay 6.67 percent. Citizens earning non-payroll income will pay 10 percent.

Colorado's state income tax rate would go from 4.63 percent to 14.63 percent. Colorado would have the highest state income tax rate in America, exceeding New York (12.7 percent) and California (11 percent). These tax rates may deter companies from moving into Colorado or force companies to leave Colorado, creating a loss of jobs.

The ambiguous language of Amendment 69 creates uncertainty about plan coverage and limitations. The amendment states that we would be able to choose our primary-care provider. However, we may not have our choice of specialists. Per ColoradoCare's website, "selection of specialists may be limited."

ColoradoCare will only contract with Colorado providers, meaning we will not have health care coverage outside of Colorado. Colorado residents will have to give up a nationwide network of providers for a local limited network of providers (Medicare, Tricare, Indian Health excluded.)

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Every health care provider in Colorado will be forced to enter into a contract with unknown terms. That is equivalent to expecting employees to accept jobs not knowing how much they will be paid. Providers will be reimbursed at a rate "competitive with other states." However, there are no other states for comparison. The fear among providers is the reimbursement would be at state Medicaid rates, forcing many providers and hospitals out of business. Understandably, the Colorado Hospital Association opposes the amendment (coloradansforcoloradans.com).

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